In the mid-1990s, Trish Watkins helped cover the Central New York music scene for The Post-Standard. After that, she did the same for the Auburn Citizen. For 17 years, Watkins helped organize and run the annual Nikstock Festival.

This year she’s out on her own.

The first Trishstock runs Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, at D.S. Humphrey’s, 271 Barker Road, Oswego.

It’s a weekend party that brings 20 bands to rock. There’s room for camping.

“It’s crazy, but it’s coming together,” Watkins says.

In fact, rock fans can get a jump start on the fest tonight, when Lowkey and Smite play at Humphrey’s.

For the fest, six mowed acres sit behind the bar and restaurant. There’s a stage for the bands. The lineup includes Titanium Black, Born Again Rebels and Stone Soul Foundation on June 3, and Descending Angel, 9 Round and King Snyder on June 4.

Watkins said she sat down after Nikstock two years ago with musicians from Lowkey and Smite.
“They said, ‘It’s time for you to do your own show,’” Watkins recalls.

Admission is $25 in advance, with tickets available at The Sound Garden in Armory Square, D.S. Humphrey’s, Fusion in North Syracuse, Bodified Tattoo in Oswego, and Trip on the Wild Side in Watertown. At the gate, they’ll be $30 for the weekend or $20 for Saturday only.

There will be T-shirts on sale for a good cause, Watkins says. The shirts will cost $16, of which $10 will go to a fund set up for military families in need.

Nikstock goes on under the direction of founder Nick Fuoco. That 40-band fest is June 10 and 11 at Champion Speedway in Owego.